On Monday Shuster's campaign released a statement asking for an investigation into Barr's failure to submit the paperwork to the U.S. House of Representatives, which is required of all candidates and sitting congressmen.

Barr spokesman E. Vincent Kelly said the financial disclosure form was submitted by the May 15 deadline and he is not sure why it was not received. An updated form was resubmitted Friday by certified mail, Kelly said. The tax returns show Barr and his wife, Elizabeth, made $80,000 in 2007 as school teachers.

Kelly said Barr has run his campaign as an ordinary person, not a politician.

“All the little screws-ups, the (Federal Elections Commission) snafu, and the latest thing with the ethics form kind of proves we are who we've been saying we are,” Kelly said. “We're just citizens and we want a better life for our kids and your kids.”

Advertisement

Kelly said at least three people will be following up to make sure the form is received. The campaign was not made aware of the discrepancy until Shuster's campaign sent out a press release Monday.

“I'm sure it happened to a lot of people,” he said. “You send your check in the mail and two weeks later the electric company says you are late.”

Shuster's campaign is making sure voters know about the federal ethics law violation. A mailer was sent out by the Shuster campaign saying “Vote ‘no' on Tony Barr for Congress” and detailing the violation and possible penalties. The mailer features a photograph of Barr superimposed over an image of hands grasping prison bars.

“It's a fear and smear,” Kelly said. “It is so over the top it isn't even funny.”

“He's not saying vote for me, he's saying don't vote for that guy.”

This is not the first time Barr has accused Shuster of avoiding the issues. Shuster has declined to debate Barr on several occasions.

“We find it puzzling that with an energy crisis, a health care crisis, a financial meltdown and two wars, paperwork is all our opponent wants to talk about,” Kelly said. “Perhaps a look into Mr. Shuster's finances will give some insight as to why he seems to be so out of touch with working families in the 9th District.”

Bob Holste, Shuster spokesman, said the congressman has been conducting a positive campaign on a successful record.

“There is nothing puzzling at all,” he said. “I would like to congratulate Tony Barr on his decision to finally obey the law.”

Holste said the forms are more than just paperwork.

“This is paperwork in the same respect as every year we have to file income tax returns,” he said. “When you run for Congress, there are rules you have to follow. These are not trivial matters, they are serious.”

Holste said Shuster has been talking about issues such as energy, the financial fallout and health care.

“We continue to run a positive campaign talking about issues that matter to voters,” he said. “We are going to continue to do that whether Mr. Barr breaks the law or not.”